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Como Zoo

Coordinates: 44°46′07″N 93°11′56″W / 44.76861°N 93.19889°W / 44.76861; -93.19889
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Como Zoo
File:Como Zoo.jpg
Map
Date opened1897 [1]
LocationSaint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Land area17 acres (6.9 ha)[2]
No. of animals1,700[4]
No. of species66[3]
MembershipsAZA
Websitehttp://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Como Zoo was the first zoo established in Minnesota. The zoo is located within Como Park which is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Como Zoo is a member af the Association of Zoos and Aquariums(AZA).

Map of Como Zoo
Map of Como Zoo

History

1890s

Como Zoo was founded in 1897 when the city of Saint Paul recieved a donation of three deer. They were made a simple fenced in pasture to hold them. This was the start of the Como Zoo.

The first animals at Como Zoo.
The first animals at Como Zoo.

1900s

In 1902 the animal collection at Como Zoo was expanded to included animals native to Minnesota. Such as elk, moose, foxes, and two cebus cattle. The zoo also recieved donations of pets, such as a parrot, two mexican red birds, and a monkey.

1910s

In 1915, the zoo recieved a donation of two bison from the Govenor Thomas Frankson. Also, in 1915, the Como Park's Marjorie McNeely Conservatory was built. The conservatory was used as a warm winter home for the animals.

1920s

In 1926, Como Zoo recieved the donation of an American Black Bear named Peggy. Her cage was built out of old iron arches already at the zoo.

1930s

The 1930s brought a new era to Como Zoo. The era of exotic animals. In 1932, the zoos Monkey Island was built, followed by the bear grottos, and the Main Zoological building in 1936. Along with these changes came many exotic animals from the Longfellow Gardens zoo which was closing, in 1934.

Monkey island at Como Zoo.
Monkey island at Como Zoo.

1940s

In the 1940s the zoo expanded once again to inclued paved parking lots, a Kiddie Zoo, and a racoon pit which later became prarie dog hill.

1950s

The 1950s brought even more changes to the zoo including Rabbitville which later was expanded into a Children's Farm Zoo. In 1955, the city officials recommended the closing of Como Zoo because the zoo and city did not have the funds to support the zoo. Soon after a Citizen Volunteer Commitee was formed to help save the zoo. In 1956, through the efforts of a rich Minnesotan bussiness man, Archie's Brand Seal show arrived at the zoo. Along with this many repairs were brought to the zoo, which brought new animals such as ostriches, jaguars, seals, llamas, baboons and monkeys. In 1957, a number of endangered animals joined the zoo including siberian tigers, gorillas, and orangutans. In 1958, Toby, a Galapagos Tortoise comes to live at the zoo. Small children were allowed to ride on Toby's back. Also, in 1958, the first siberian tigers to be raised succesfully in captivity were born at Como Zoo. In 1959, Casey the Gorilla arrived at the Como Zoo and the Como Mobile Zoo started visting local schools.

1960s

The 1960s brought what seemed to be the end of Como Zoo. In 1966, the Metropolitan Zoo Report of the Citizen's League decided that Como Zoo could not become a major zoo facility, so planning for the Minnesota Zoo began. With this many people thought that Como Zoo would close, but, in 1969, the zoo built the original primate house where the one now stands and brought in two new lowland gorillas named Don and Donna. In 1969, the zoo was saved once again by citizens who rallied to raise funds for the zoo.

1970s

In January of 1972, zoo keepers were forced to shoot Whitey, a male polar bear, to save a midnight visitor who fell into the bear grotto. In 1974, the zoo favorite galapagos tortoise, Toby, was moved to the Honolulu Zoo, where he still lives today. In 1976 a new Master Plan was created for the zoo and the State Legislature granted the zoo $8.5 million to redevelop the zoo.

1980s

The 1980s marked the beginning of new buildings at the zoo, which started in 1980 with the opening of the Large Cats exhibit. This building was just the first building built as part of the zoos new redevelopment plan. In 1982, the zoo opened its new aquatic animal building to the public. Along with a new polar bear exhibit, a new show amphitheater for the Sparky the Seal Lion Show, and Monkey Island being converted to Seal Island. Along with this came Casey II, the grandson of the Como's original Casey from Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. In 1985, Como Zoo's new primate house is built and ready to house gorillas, orangutans, lemurs, monkeys, and tamarins. In 1986, the new Land Bird and water fowl exhibit is completed with a large outdoor pool and waterfall. In 1988, the final building of the 1970s master plan was completed. The African Hoof Stock exhibit, it contained giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and two type of antelope.

1990s

In 1994, Don the gorilla died and Casey II jumped out of his exhibit and took a short stroll in the park before jumping back into his enclosure. With this came plans for a new and improved gorilla exhibit which made the walls straight up and down instead of slanted. Casey II was later moved to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.

2000s

In 2008, the zoos giraffes had a baby. The baby had some problems walking and almost died before it was moved to the University of Minnesota for special treatment. Now the baby giraffe has returned to the zoo and is on exhibit with its parents. Also, the building of the new Polar Bear Odyssey started removing the old bear grottos to make a polar bear exhibit seven times larger than the original.

2010s

The opening of the Polar Bear Odyssey marked the start of the 2010 decade. The zoo is also planning to open up a new gorilla exhibit in 2012.

Exhibits

Mill and Water Wheel in Bird Yard at Como Zoo.
Mill and Water Wheel in Bird Yard at Como Zoo.
Seal Island(ex-Monkey Island) at Como Zoo.
Seal Island (ex-Monkey Island) at Como Zoo.
A gorilla and sumatran orangutan at Como Zoo.
A gorilla and sumatran orangutan at Como Zoo.
Snow Leopard at Como Zoo.
Snow Leopard at Como Zoo.

Bird Yard Exhibit

The bird yard is the first thing visitors of the zoo see after they leave the visitor center. The bird yard contains a large pool, waterfall, and a mill house with a water wheel. The exhibit has large rocks separating the birds from two large galapagos tortoises. Animals in the exhibit include:

Seal Island

Monkey Island was re-renovated into Seal Island in 1982. Animals include:

Primate House

The first Como Zoo primate house was built in 1969 and was rebuilt in 1985. Animals exhibited include:

Large Cats Exhibit

The large cats exhibit was finished in 1982 and moved the large cats out of the small, original zoological building into larger pastures. Animals in the large cat house include:

Aquatic Building

The Aquatic building was created in 1985. Animals include:

African Hoof Stock

The African Hoof Stock exhibit was part of the 1970s zoo master plan and was finished in the mid 1980s. Animals include:

Old Hoof Stock

The old hoof stock building is one of the zoos oldest exhibits. Animals include:

Tropical Encounters Exhibit

Wolf Woods

Polar Bear Odyssey

Other Attractions

Past Exhibits

See also

Notes

44°46′07″N 93°11′56″W / 44.76861°N 93.19889°W / 44.76861; -93.19889

References

  1. ^ http://comopark.us/history-of-como-park-zoo/
  2. ^ http://www.freemaptools.com/area-calculator.htm
  3. ^ www.comozooconservatory.org
  4. ^ http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=854942
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